Groups urge Tinubu to place outright ban on fuel importation

The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA) and the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) have asked President Bola Tinubu to place an outright ban on fuel importation, not just suspension of 15 per cent of valorem import duty on imported premium motor spirit and diesel. The groups also urged […]

The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA) and the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) have asked President Bola Tinubu to place an outright ban on fuel importation, not just suspension of 15 per cent of valorem import duty on imported premium motor spirit and diesel.

The groups also urged the President to direct that only locally refined products be sold in Nigeria as long as local production exceeds demand.

BAVCCA National President, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, and COCSON National President, Husseini Abubakar, made the demand during a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

They noted that the suspension of the 15% import duty on petrol and diesel was a direct attack on local refineries.

The groups alleged that the suspension of the implementation of the policy was being orchestrated by a powerful cartel of fuel importers.

“Just when Nigerians should be enjoying the fruits of self-sufficiency, we woke up to the shocking news that the Federal Government has suspended the recently imposed 15% import duty on petroleum products until the first quarter of 2026. This is not policy, this is sabotage disguised as relief.

“This suspension effectively makes imported fuel cheaper than locally refined fuel, thereby creating an artificial price advantage for importers and rendering modular and large-scale local refineries uncompetitive,” the organisations said.

The groups argued that Dangote Refinery was loading and dispatching more than 104 million litres of refined petroleum products daily, over 57 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Jet fuel 20 million litres and 27 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) totaling 104 million litres of petroleum products.

They added that the volume exceeds Nigeria’s total national daily consumption of approximately 70–75 million litres.

“The Dangote Refinery is not Aliko Dangote’s personal property, it is a national asset. We, the people, will defend it with everything we have. Through our platforms, our voices, our protests if necessary, and our votes, we will ensure that no cabal succeeds in turning back the clock on Nigeria’s progress,” the organisations said.

They urged the government to set up a special task force to investigate and prosecute economic saboteurs in the downstream sector.

“Fellow Nigerians, the battle for affordable fuel, stable economy, and true independence has entered its final stage. This is not Dangote’s fight alone – it is our fight.

“We will not relent. We will not surrender. We will win,” the groups said.